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The Mississippi River is the longest river in the United States, and although its muddy waters give it a bad rap among some anglers, many others know it to be a prime fishing location. The river flows through 10 states and consists of many channels, inlets and oxbows where fish are known to hide. There are 119 species of fish in the Mississippi River, but walleyes, catfish, bass and saugers are popular species among anglers.

Walleye

Walleye fishing on the Mississippi River is most prevalent on the Upper Mississippi. When fishing for walleye, try to stay in areas along the river between St. Paul, Minnesota, and St. Louis, Missouri. When choosing a spot in this area, stay within a mile or two of the locks and dams, where the current is not as strong. Although walleye like to live near current, they prefer a slower current to rapid current and tend to spawn near large rocks or cement structures in the water.

Catfish

Catfish are perhaps the most popular fish that anglers pursue in the Mississippi River. Trophy channel, blue and flathead catfish can be found anywhere along the river. Some popular states include Iowa, Missouri, Mississippi and Tennessee, although catfish tend to prefer warmer water in southern states during winter. When choosing your spot, bear in mind catfish habits and preferences. Catfish eat at night, which means they tend to hide during the day and hunt at night. When fishing during the day, look for catfish in deep crevices, around rocks, logs and other submerged items. Catfish can be caught in any open area at night when they are looking for food, but try fishing upstream from logjams and submerged debris.

Bass

Largemouth and smallmouth bass are commonly caught all along the Mississippi River. Bass fishing is popular along the Mississippi in the many oxbows created by the river. These still-water inlets are the ideal breeding ground for bass. There are several prime oxbows from the Tennessee border south to Louisiana, some of which are still connected to the river and some that were separated long ago. Illinois, Iowa and Missouri are among the Upper Mississippi states that boast bass fishing hot spots. Oxbows aren't the only place to catch a bass, however. Cast your line in any place with a gentle current or just downstream from submerged debris that breaks the current.

Sauger

Sauger, like the closely related walleye, are especially popular in the areas of the Upper Mississippi. Cast your line in an area about one mile above or below a dam lock. Saugers are well adapted to moving water but tend to migrate downstream from rapid currents. You might try casting your line near a dam in northern Illinois, Missouri or Minnesota. Try fishing in pools of deeper water because, unlike walleye, saugers tend to hang out in deep water as well as shallow places near the shoreline.

About the Author

A former cake decorator and competitive horticulturist, Amelia Allonsy is most at home in the kitchen or with her hands in the dirt. She received her Bachelor's degree from West Virginia University. Her work has been published in the San Francisco Chronicle and on other websites.

Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

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Images related to Mississippi River

The w:Wisconsin River delta into the w:Mississippi River taken at w:Wyalusing State Park in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin flows from the near right to the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River flows from the right to the left. Iowa is visible in the distance on the other side of the Mississippi River. w:Prairie du Chien is just out of view to the ...

Canoers' campsite on a sandbar in the Mississippi River, near Old Town, Arkansas, and Friar's Point, Mississippi.

A more accurate Map of the Mississippi River Basin, intended to replace File:Mississippirivermapnew.jpg. Made using USGS data.

Mississippi River - New Orleans (Louisiana) self made PRA

Reverie, Tennessee. TN/AR stateline at the old course of the Mississippi River. View south